Italy

A few highlights from Italy.  Thank you Dad for a wonderful trip!  We hit Rome, Naples, Pompeii, and Florence, all places I'd been to before but it was great to go back with an older (and more knowledgeable?) perspective.  And who doesn't love Italy?

Back two days and I'm already packing again!  Ciao bellas

Terrariums and sprouts!

 My cousin and maid-of-honor Melissa gave me this cloche terrarium for Christmas.  I started sprouting as soon as we got back to Atlanta and I have to say, watching the grass (i mean, basil) grow has never been so exciting!

 Just seeds.

 life!

 adolescent plants. 

transplanted/leaving the nest!

None of my plants are full-size yet so we haven't been able to enjoy our fresh basil.  However, this being the longest I've ever kept basil alive I'm feeling pretty proud of my little sprouts!

New sprouts!  This time I'm trying mixed salad greens.  And the circle of life begins anew...

Big Fish, Big News

reef shark, hammerhead, giant grouper

leopard ray, whale shark, manta ray

Last Friday Alex and I went to the Georgia Aquarium.  Touted as the largest aquarium in the world based on gallons of water and amount of fish, this aquarium does not disappoint.  We were regaled with sea otters, harper seals, beluga whales, penguins, and FOUR whale sharks (from Taiwan, I might add).

Alex goofing with a pair of penguins

Anyone else reminded of Ursula's minions from The Little Mermaid?

 Giant grouper.  Apparently they're known to attack divers.  In a battle of giant grouper vs diver, my money's on the grouper. 

Loggerhead turtle.

Bottom line: the Georgia Aquarium is awesome!  

In other news, after we got home from the aquarium Alex asked me to marry him and WE'RE ENGAGED!!! More details to come later.  Yay!  

MLK Day at Ebenezer Baptist

 Last Monday we went to the Ebenezer Baptist Church for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Memorial Service.  I snuck in this picture before the service began to give you an idea of the interior.  It was pretty packed that day, and although the service was over 4 hours long the attendees remained enthusiastic throughout.  Speeches were given by friends and family of MLK Jr., the US Attorney General, and MLK III.  The speeches were interjected by energetic performances by school groups and extremely talented local musicians.

 It was a great way to spend MLK Day in Atlanta and experience a little slice of history.

 Ebenezer Baptist Church

 Outside the church was a street festival, which brought all sorts of venders...

sign-bearers and proselytizers...

and capitalizers.

All in all an exciting day.  For those in the Atlanta area, I highly recommend attending the service next year!

Falling Gingerbread

This is a little late to be seasonally appropriate but its too amazing not to share:

Falling Water, gingerbread house style!  This really sets the bar for next year.

linked from Design Milk

Grandaddy's train set

This is a project my grandfather has been working on for a little while.  He's set up a train set in his basement that recreates Smithfield, N.C.'s main street and the saw mill he operates!

Here's the man himself.  If you're familiar with Smithfield, this train set is pretty endearing.  If not, just substitute your town's main street offices for the names featured here and you'll understand the appeal.

How we survived Atlanta's "blizzard"

We've been snowed in ever since we returned to Atlanta, thanks to a measley 4 inches of snow and Atlanta's lack of preparation.

The night of the snowfall.

Four days later: no change.  Hasn't been above freezing once.  

Luckily, our pantry is stocked with the dry goods to make cinnamon raisin bagels!  Who needs de-iced roads?